AGP Executive Report

Kirk Gavin III / Pharaohs of Funk: Tallahassee funk frontman and music teacher Kirk Gavin III is pushing a “can’t is dead” message ahead of Pharaohs of Funk’s Levitt AMP Tallahassee show July 9. K-pop legal win: Super Junior’s Choi Si Won won US court approval to identify anonymous commenters tied to a defamation/insult case. AI + music business: Spotify and Kalshi/Polymarket are tangled in a chart-manipulation scandal, with Spotify deleting 500K streams after suspected prediction-market meddling. Digital music policy: TIDAL says it will label AI-generated music and remove fraudulent tracks from royalty payments. New releases: Ken Carson drops “xperiment,” while Lady Zamar returns with “First Class.” Cultural diplomacy via music: The US Embassy in Malaysia is using “America the Beautiful” plus “Tanah Pusaka” for people-to-people ties around America’s 250th. Indie culture: New York’s Low Cinema highlights a growing indie-theater comeback with a lo-fi, small-seat model. Global live scene: Harlesden launches a reggae Walk of Music, and Jeezum Crow’s July 11-12 lineup leans roots/jam-heavy. Music industry friction: A UK promoter says it’s boycotting South African artists amid anti-illegal immigration protests. Tech + ticketing security: A Front Gate Tickets SQL injection risk could have enabled free festival ticket issuance.

AI & Streaming Integrity: Spotify removed 500K streams of Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” after internal checks flagged manipulation tied to prediction-market bets on Kalshi/Polymarket. Platform Policy on AI Music: Suno is exploring a developer API for partner-powered generative music experiences, while TIDAL is tightening AI handling by labeling AI-generated tracks and cutting off monetization/royalties. Music Business & Rights: Bella Figura co-founder/CEO Alexi Cory-Smith (58) died; the catalog firm manages evergreen hits including Joan Jett and The Human League. Charts & Market Signals: Muse debuted at No.1 with “The Wow! Signal,” extending their run of consecutive chart-topping albums. Local Music & Culture: Bo’s Bar and Stage marks 30 years with shows from Dan Mangan, Dear Rouge, and The Rural Alberta Advantage; Warrington’s outdoor dance throwback (Pete Waterman, Cappella, Alex Party) lands July 11. Community & Live Events: Washington Ukrainian Festival returns Sept. 18–20 with performances, crafts, and proceeds for humanitarian aid.

Music Business Dealmaking: Warner Music Finland has agreed to take over Mökkitie Records’ catalogue and publishing rights, bringing artists like Erika Vikman and Mira Luoti into the major’s orbit. Indie Ecosystems: H.O.M.E. (House Of Music & Entertainment) is opening a new Liverpool hub to connect independent labels, publishers, managers, tech firms, and investors. AI + Copyright Tension: TIDAL says it will label AI-generated music and cut off monetization for tracks it detects, as the broader creator-industry backlash keeps growing. Live Music + Community: Liverpool’s H.O.M.E. expansion and local market/music programming continue to push grassroots scenes forward, from independent venues to community festivals. Pop Culture Spotlight: Reports claim Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce may have already married ahead of their MSG celebration, keeping the wedding narrative—and music-industry chatter—front and center.

AI & Streaming Integrity: Spotify removed streams of Malcolm Todd’s “Earrings” after suspicious Kalshi prediction-market bets, saying it won’t pay royalties tied to manipulated streams. Live Music Tech: Ticket Fuze pitched music-first ticketing for faster payouts, lower fees, and better audience growth for promoters and venues. Publishing & A&R Moves: Blake Duncan and Scott Hendricks launched TAYCAN Entertainment, aiming to back songwriters and build long-term careers. AI Music Policy: TIDAL fully demonetized AI-generated music and auto-tags tracks to block royalties, adding pressure to how platforms handle synthetic audio. Music + Community: Ipoh’s “City Music Month” and Malaysia’s Harmony Music Cup push music as civic identity, while DC libraries kick off free all-ages summer concerts. Global Music Business: Nakama launched AniBiz.com, a B2B anime licensing marketplace for verified rights deals. Industry Health: Australia’s musical theatre cancellations are fueling “where is the next Hamilton?” anxiety.

AI & Music Rights: Australia’s music industry is uniting against mass-scale AI training, calling it “the largest theft of intellectual property,” while TIDAL says it will tag and exclude AI-generated music from royalty payments. Streaming & Royalties: TIDAL’s policy shift adds pressure as platforms try to police AI fraud and compensate creators. K-Pop Health Watch: tripleS member Gong YuBin collapsed onstage at MyK FESTA, following another health scare for Nien, reigniting debate over grueling schedules. Live Music Business: The Warehouse Project announces new shows for its 20th anniversary, and Berlin’s FOUND opens as an 8,500-capacity club/venue. Music Tech/Hardware: HiBy’s products win multiple honors at VGP 2026 SUMMER, reinforcing momentum in hi-res audio gear. Trademark/Branding: Eminem loses an Australian trademark battle over “Swim Shady,” a rare win for a beachwear brand. Local Music Calendar: multiple July 4 and weekend community music events roll out across the US and UK.

Community Access & Mentorship: A new piece argues the music industry’s real gatekeeper is access—highlighting how mentorship and community can help women (especially women of color) break through persistent representation gaps. Local Live Music Calendar: Summer concert and festival updates keep rolling, from Midnight Rain headlining a free Edward Jones Summer Concert Series stop to River Falls and Hudson continuing weekly bandshell shows. New Releases: Dream-pop artist Morgan La Fae drops debut single “Cigarettes and Coffee,” launching a five-song EP built around the five senses. Indie Venue Spotlight: Jai Alai IPA’s “Raise The Stage” spotlights Songbyrd Music House, praising small rooms for giving emerging acts a real shot. Industry Tech/Policy: A special report details how broadcasters are reshaping the radio “air chain” with software-driven, IP-based workflows. AI Copyright Pressure: Australia’s music industry continues uniting against mass-scale AI training, framing it as a major intellectual property threat. Music Loss: Victor Willis, co-founder of the Village People and voice behind “Y.M.C.A.,” dies at 74.

AI Copyright Clash: Australian authors, musicians and songwriters rallied in Canberra urging the government to reject carve-outs that would let big tech more easily train AI on creative works, as senator David Pocock pushes for a clear “no” on any text-and-data-mining deal. Streaming & AI Monetization: TIDAL says it will tag AI-generated music and strip it of royalty payments, while broader industry debate continues over how platforms should handle AI-made tracks and fraud. Rights & Royalties in Court: India’s Delhi High Court refused to lift an interim order in Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright fight over songs from 134 films, keeping Saregama’s interim protections in place. Live Music Business: Lily Allen defended her one-hour West End Girl tour format after ticket-price and runtime complaints, saying the show is built around performing the album in full. Industry Moves: Merlin hired Downtown’s Harmen Hemminga as VP business development, and Roam appointed Duncan Smith as a senior agent. Physical Sales: UK physical music sales grew in H1 2026, with vinyl driving momentum and closing in on CD. New Releases/Scenes: AOMG launched its first girl crew, Keyveatz, with debut EP “Oxy_Gen.”

Performance Royalties: PPL says it paid £81.6M to 140,000+ performers and recording rightsholders in Q2, including nearly 4,500 first-time payouts, with faster in-year distributions and recouping advances shaping the totals. Company Leadership: Virgin Music Group rolled out a new global and regional leadership team after its Downtown acquisition, combining executives across six regions and naming new tech and operations leadership. AI Music Policy: TIDAL says it will label AI-generated music and remove fraudulent tracks from earning royalties, while earlier coverage also points to AI-generated music royalty crackdowns across platforms. Live Music & Community: Asbury Park’s Asbury Park Jazz Festival returned after a decade, and local series like Sanibel’s Summer Jazz Concerts and Denver’s “Festpocalypse” highlight how festivals keep feeding regional scenes. Music Biz Culture: Clive Davis’ funeral drew major stars, underscoring his lasting industry influence as the business grapples with streaming, AI, and rights. Local Venue News: The Point on Main in San Francisco’s East Side closed after about a decade, with musicians and regulars mourning a key live-music stop.

AI & Streaming Policy: TIDAL says it will add AI music labels to tracks identified as 100% AI-generated and remove AI tracks that break its rules, with new enforcement starting July 15. Talent Pipeline: Punch Records and A&R exec Rich Castillo are launching the A&R Academy, an eight-week UK programme for 10 young people (18–30) starting in September. Live Music Pressure: Natalie Bassingthwaighte called the abrupt Sydney cancellation of Waitress “devastating,” warning that “the arts is dying” in Australia. Awards Spotlight: Teyana Taylor dominated the 2026 BET Awards with four wins, including Icon of the Year and Best Actress. Global Touring Ambition: Bring Me The Horizon is aiming for stadium shows across multiple territories after its Madison Square Garden debut. Music Business & IP: Mathew Knowles at WMF pushed a strategy-first view of music growth—data, partnerships, and protecting IP in the AI era. Market Expansion: Virtuoso Music is entering India with a creator-first model across multiple languages.

AI & Music Business: Madonna calls AI “the opposite of making art,” arguing algorithms and follower counts replace creative risk. Platform Policy: Tidal says it will tag wholly AI-generated tracks, block impersonation/fraud, and won’t monetize 100% AI-made music. Copyright/Regulation: Google argues AI training on publicly available web data should be protected by fair use, and says copyright fights belong on outputs, not inputs. Royalties Fight (UK): The Court of Appeal upheld a ruling against Blur drummer Dave Rowntree’s “black box” royalties claim against PRS for Music. Live Music & Venues: Dice and Fever extended partnerships with major independent venues across the UK, US, and beyond. Local Scene: Hudson’s Max’s Social House plans Nashville-style live music on multiple floors. New Releases: Edie Brickell and Matt Chamberlain’s World Famous Pets announce a September debut album. Community Music: Innisfil’s free “Music in the Park” returns with weekly summer concerts.

Awards & Legacy: Lauryn Hill capped the BET Awards with a Living Legends Icon gong and a surprise “Ex-Factor” performance, using the moment to push the next generation to protect their gifts. AI & Artist Rights: Tanzanian artists are warning that AI voice tools can replicate vocals without consent if creators don’t read terms, while broader industry debate keeps heating up around who controls creative identity. Live Music Reality Check: A grassroots venue in Kentish Town, Map Café Studio, says it may shut if it can’t secure the right alcohol licence after noise and planning disputes. Music Business Training: The MMF and YouTube Music launched MMF Hyperdrive to fast-track music managers, building on the Accelerator programme’s push for higher earnings and stronger rosters. Community & Culture: AthFest’s Artist Market and final-day performances highlighted how festivals blend music with local makers and belonging. Industry Spotlight: ASCAP named Mustard and Kendrick Lamar/SZA’s “luther” big winners at the 2026 Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. Tech in Entertainment: “Mandalorian”-style virtual production is spreading to Louisiana, showing how LED stages are reshaping filming costs and workflows.

Caribbean Creative Economy: St Kitts’ Creative Power Arts Convention 2027 will feature soca star Machel Montano and Grammy-nominated producer Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor as facilitators, aiming to build pathways for local talent. Festival Spotlight: Essence Fest 2026 lands at the Caesars Superdome with Cardi B headlining and a stacked lineup that also includes Kehlani, plus nightly DJ sets. Music Industry People: North Carolina music executive Eddie Ray, the first executive director of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, has died at 99 after a 60+ year label career. Artist Accountability Clash: Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck renews accusations of sexual abuse against Blaqbonez, alleging the wider industry is “covering it up.” Streaming/Discovery Friction: A creator shares why they swapped Spotify for a self-hosted server (Navidrome) to regain control of their own listening library. K-pop Wealth Watch: BTS net worth estimates are projected to rise again as full-group activity returns and HYBE’s momentum continues. Local Culture & Live Music: Santa Fe debuts the 505 Night Market, a free, family-friendly food, art and live music night market with 80+ vendors.

Live Music & Community: Pete Doherty will headline Scotland’s first alcohol-free festival, Recovery Connects, at Glasgow’s Queens Park Arena on July 5, with DJ Joe Deacon, a Stone Roses tribute, and local acts—built by friends in recovery to keep the focus on music and sobriety. Music Licensing: The Philippines’ IPOPHL warned businesses that playing copyrighted music in shops can trigger copyright obligations for composers/publishers, performers, and record producers—so venues need proper licenses. Industry Tech: YouTube is expanding Shorts with more AI creator tools for brainstorming, captions, editing, and production as it intensifies competition with TikTok. Touring & Demand: Broadway hit Waitress is axing its Sydney run due to softer-than-expected ticket sales, following the earlier cancellation of Beetlejuice dates. Local Scene Spotlight: Boise’s Treefort Music Fest is gearing up for March 26–30, 2025, with a second wave lineup drop featuring 200+ artists and major regional representation. Legal/Brand: Fender’s Stratocaster shape fight continues as Gear4music says it won’t confirm receiving cease-and-desist letters after a Germany ruling.

AI Copyright Showdown: A federal judge is set to take up Sony Music v. Suno this July, with Sony Music v. Udio already past a key procedural step as document production closed—while Hagens Berman has joined the independent-artist class actions tied to the $260B tobacco-litigation firm’s playbook. Artist Access & Pricing: Yungblud says his Bludfest is growing fast and wants it to “break barriers” by keeping live-music tickets among the most affordable and artist-controlled. Local Music as Community Glue: Melba Farmers Market launched weekly with kids and volunteers, earning a $2,500 Bayer Fund donation; Cedar Farmers Market marks 30 years with free family activities and live music; Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards highlighted local film/music talent. Live-Experience Innovation: Boise’s Northwest Stories debuted “Eternities — The Story Concert,” blending live music with actors and a grief-driven narrative. Industry People: Guns N’ Roses manager Doug Goldstein has died at 65; and Phil Manzanera reflects on Roxy Music’s early days. City & Culture: Shreveport’s downtown revitalization plan faces safety concerns as it builds a retail strategy.

Music Royalties Clarified: Jose Mari Chan says he’s only missing checks tied to declining physical sales (CDs, cassettes, vinyl), after his comments sparked confusion. Industry Accountability: Korean agency Palm Tree Island cut ties with an outsourced producer tied to fraud and theft claims after he was credited on Kim Junsu’s album. Streaming & Creator Economics: A report says Amazon Music pays creators about twice what Spotify pays, adding fuel to the ongoing debate over platform payouts. AI Music Tensions: Australia’s artists are speaking out against big AI “song scrape” practices, pushing for consent and fair use. Live Music & Local Scenes: Boise’s Treefort is gearing up with a “Locals Only” pass sale, while Idaho’s Sawtooth Valley Gathering highlights how regional festivals keep touring talent and community stages thriving. New Releases: Wande Coal drops “King Coal,” featuring Wizkid and other Afrobeats heavyweights. Cultural Spotlight: A Pride-themed Tumon Night Market adds music, performances, and a mini parade.

AI & Artist Rights: London singer Samuel Smith says Parkinson’s forced him to use AI music tools to create demos for his album track “Horizon,” reigniting the debate over how far artists should go when their bodies change. Industry Leadership: UK Music appointed Arit Eminue MBE to chair its Diversity Taskforce, continuing work tied to the “Black Music Means Business” report. New Releases: John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies announced “The Ferryman,” tied to their graphic novel Cathedral and a companion soundtrack. Debut Album Buzz: Myles Smith’s “My Mess, My Heart, My Life” debuted at No.2, landing the biggest debut album opening of 2026 so far. Local Music & Community: Coastal Sounds launched a free micro-festival in Santa Barbara; Watertown cut the ribbon on a second State Street Market; and St. Peter, Minnesota kicks off summer with back-to-back Young John Denver Fest and Blues Fest. Live Music Calendar: Summerfest Weekend 2 & 3 returns to Milwaukee’s lakefront with free-admission perks and military/veteran entry options.